‘Yes. It is a pity that you burnt your hands.’ ‘How do you know that I burnt my hands?’ Richard asked. ‘I can tell by the way you hold them,’ said Nolan. ‘It was worth it,’ said Richard. ‘Was it?’ observed Nolan quietly. ‘I am glad. Of course, now that you have found out everything----’ He drew up standing in the road. His voice showed that Richard had made some little impression on that great man from Scotland Yard. ‘Admit first,’ said Richard, his eyes twinkling through the gold-rimmed spectacles, ‘that you were guilty of the grossest indiscretion--not to say stupidity--in leaving Goron’s Memoirs, a yellow-covered French book, lying about the harness-room--you, an Irish labourer.’ ‘I admit that in that matter I was an inconceivable ass,’ said Nolan cheerfully. ‘Good!’ said Richard; ‘you shall have your reward.’ Then Richard told him all that he had learnt from the lips of Raphael Craig. There was a silence when he had finished. ‘Yes,’ said Nolan, ‘it’s rather an impressive story; it impresses even me. But do you believe it?’ ‘I believe what Craig told me. If he lied, he is the finest actor I ever saw.’ ‘Listen,’ said Nolan. ‘Does this tale of Craig’s explain his daughter’s visit to Bosco’s circus and her chat with Juana, and her unblushing fibs to you afterwards?’ ‘How did you hear about that?’ questioned Richard savagely. He scarcely liked Nolan’s curt language in regard to Teresa. ‘I did hear about it,’ said Nolan; ‘let that suffice. And listen further. I will make you a present of a fact--an absolutely indisputable fact--which I have discovered: Raphael Craig never had an uncle. His father was an only son. Moreover, no person has died within the last few years who could by any means be related to Craig. The records at Somerset House have been thoroughly searched.’ ‘No uncle!’ was all Richard, the nonplussed, could murmur. ‘And,’ Nolan continued, ‘while I am about it, I will make you a present of another little fact. You say that Craig told you that he had brought all his silver here, the last load having arrived to-night. On the contrary, he has gradually been taking silver away from here, I admit that he has brought some, but he has carted far more away. For what else should he need all this generous supply of motorcars?’ Richard began to suspect that he had mistaken his vocation. CHAPTER VIII--THE PEER’S ADVICE